MUMBAI: After getting a nod from the State Cabinet, the malls and eateries will be allowed to remain open throughout the day and night from January 27. However, bars and pubs will not be allowed to remain open the entire night.
The State Cabinet on Wednesday approved the proposal of Yuva Sena Chief and Tourism Minister Aaditya Thackeray on Mumbai’s nightlife. As per the decision, malls and eateries and a few other select places can remain open throughout the night in Mumbai.
Malls and multiplexes in non-residential areas have full clearance to remain open throughout the night from January 27. But if any establishment fails to abide by the guidelines then they could lose their licence forever.
Ministers Aaditya Thackeray and Anil Deshmukh said the move will create employment opportunities and lead to revenue generation. As per a rough estimate, there will be a generation of 10 lakh jobs.
The move is not being forced on the establishments. “We have not forced anyone to remain open 24x7. As the government, we can only provide necessary facilities so it is up to the establishments to decide on the number of hours they wish to remain open,” Aaditya Thackeray said.
He said there would be no law and order situation, as only select establishments with necessary checks in place will remain open in the pilot project. There are around 25 establishments in the city that would remain open which includes the famous High Street Phoenix Mall at Lower Parel and Atria Mall in Worli and two roads in Bandra Kurla Complex.
The conditions laid down by the government to remain open 24x7 include fire compliance, CCTV surveillance, parking facilities and assurance of customer safety. If any establishment wants to remain 24x7 and the owner has doubts about law and order situation, he has to pay to the police for police protection.
However, BJP is still opposing the decision. BJP leader Ashish Shelar alleged this will create a law and order situation and woman’s safety may be compromised due to the decision.
“Both the malls and Kamala Mills compound are in Worli, which is Aaditya Thackeray’s’ constituency. This decision has been taken to benefit some people in the constituency,” Shelar added.
“Under the guise of the decision the government is going to regularise the FSI scam of Kamala Mills. A major fire at Kamala Mills took place two years ago and left 14 people dead. The government will give a clean chit to the mill owner,” Shelar alleged.
BJP leader Raj Purohit said the move would lead to increased rape cases and a law and order situation.
‘AFTERNOON LIFE’
When asked about nightlife in Pune, Aaditya Thackeray said in a light tone that there is need for afternoon life and not nightlife in Pune.
